$26,748 – that’s how much Marylanders paid in agent commissions on an average $445,800 home last month. Classic rip-off, right? Home prices in MD will continue to rise, and so will commissions. But there’s an alternative! Going FSBO.
FSBO is powerful. Millennials are leading the way, with over 55% considering selling their homes by owner. From Hagerstown to Annapolis, selling For Sale By Owner (FSBO) is the #1 way to save thousands in the Free State.
The best For Sale By Owner websites in Maryland will double your savings. You save 3% on the listing agent commission. With the NAR Settlement, you save on the 3% buyer agent commission too. That’s potentially a cool $26,748 IN YOUR POCKET!
Rankings: 7 Best For Sale By Owner Websites in Maryland
| FSBO Website | Listing Fee | 100% Online* | MLS Access | Online Showings & Offers | 5-Star Customer Service** |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Houzeo.com | $399 | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 2. FSBO.com | $399 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 3. Net Realty Now | $299 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 4. Mister Lister Realty | $650 | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 5. ForSaleByOwner | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| 6. Facebook Martketplace | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
| 7. Craigslist | $0 | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
*For 100% Online, only FSBO sites with online showings, inspection scheduling, offer management, and mobile apps have been considered.
**For 5-Star Reviews, customer ratings above 4.75 out of 5 have been considered.
Types of FSBOs 🚀
There are two types of For Sale By Owner websites in Maryland you can choose from:
- Paid FSBO Websites: These websites will get your property listed on the MLS, the most powerful marketing tool for home sellers. The MLS syndicates your listings to Zillow, Redfin, Trulia, Realtor.com, and 100s of other websites.
- Free FSBO Websites: When you list for free, your listing remains on the company website and does not feature on the MLS. No MLS exposure means fewer potential buyers and a lower sale price for your property.
4 Best Paid For Sale By Owner Websites in Maryland
1. Houzeo.com
BEST FSBO WEBSITE
Listing Fee: $3994.9/5
Houzeo offers 4 FSBO MLS listing Plans:
- Bronze: $399 + $350 at closing
- Silver: $409 + 0.5% at closing
- Gold: $429 + 0.5% at closing
- Platinum: $499 + 1% at closing
👉 Our Take: We recommend the GOLD plan. Which gives you access to Houzeo Tech. You can easily manage showings, negotiations, etc.
- Maximum Exposure
- 5-star Customer Service
- 100% Online
- No Hidden Fees
- Free Home Value Estimator
Houzeo’s services are limited in Wyoming, South Dakota, and West Virginia. This means your listings may take more than 12 hours to get updated.
Houzeo is rated 4.9 out of 5 stars by thousands of home sellers on Google & Trustpilot.
» Houzeo Reviews: With over 10,000+ happy customers, Houzeo is the most trusted FSBO website.
Houzeo.com is one of the best FSBO sites in Maryland. They provide advanced technology, a seamless user experience, and listing exposure.
Houzeo’s Flat Fee MLS listing service helps you save thousands on Realtor commissions. You get dedicated customer support, which makes the home-selling process smooth and effortless. In addition, Houzeo covers 47 states and DC.
2. FSBO.com
NATIONAL REFERRAL COMPANY
Listing Fee: $99.95 - $399- FSBO Package – $99.95
- MLS Package – $399.95
- Multiple Categories of Listings
- User-Friendly Interface
- Nationwide Coverage
- Limited Automation
- Unpredictable Broker Quality
- Extra Charges for Listing Photos
- Expensive à la carte Services
FSBO.com has no credible customer reviews on popular review sites like Google or Trustpilot.
» FSBO.com Reviews: Read why the oldest FSBO website isn’t the best anymore.
FSBO.com is accessible nationwide. It provides coverage in over 50+ markets.
Apart from listing houses For Sale By Owner, FSBO.com offers no major services. The à la carte items are expensive, and you’re charged extra for uploading more than 20 photos.
3. Net Realty Now
EXPERIENCED BROKER
Listing Fee: $299 - $1,2994.7/5
Net Realty Now offers 2 Flat Fee MLS packages:
- Flat Fee MLS Package – $299: This package provides a 6-month listing period and 36 photos, virtual tours of the house, and unlimited text editing of your MLS listing.
- Full-Service Flat Fee MLS Package – $1,299: This package allows listings across 83 affiliated websites, both national and local. You are also provided comparable sales information on similar properties.
👉 Our Take: They have affordable Flat Fee MLS packages, which include all the services a homeowner looks for.
- Experienced & Highly Rated Broker: The company is known for its first-class services. Thomas has a great sense of the market and how things work.
- Good Customer Reviews: The team at Net Realty Now respond to their clients promptly and are renowned for their integrity.
- Extensive Marketing Reach: They syndicate your listing to popular real estate websites such as Zillow and Trulia.
- High Credibility: Net Realty Now lists between 500 to 600 properties every year. Out of these, over 60% of properties sell within the initial listing term.
- Unlimited Changes: You are allowed to make unlimited changes to your listing for free.
- Buyer Lead Forwarding: Buyer leads are sent to the homeowners directly to limit broker participation in the sale.
- Online Paperwork: The full-service package offers a complete electronic paperwork from listing to closing.
- Comparable Sales Report: It also provides a detailed CMA report which helps you price your property accurately based on market comparisons.
- Limited Coverage: The main turn-down of Net Realty Now is its limited coverage. It serves only in four states prominently.
- Expensive Package: In case you opt for the full service package, you will have to shell out a greater amount.
Net Realty Now has 4.7 out of 5 stars rating from 20+ reviews on Zillow.
» Net Realty Now.com Reviews: Check out what Houzeo home sellers have to say about working with Net Realty Now.
With Net Realty Now you work with agents that have over 30 years of experience in the business. They provide unlimited customer services for market advice, professional guidance, and contract negotiations in the full-service package with a 1% – 2% listing fee.
If you are looking for customizable packages curated to your specific needs, you may want to look at some other websites on this list.
4. Mr. Lister Realty
LOCAL EXPOSURE
Listing Fee: $450-$6504.9/5
Mr. Lister Realty offers 3 Flat Fee MLS packages:
- Basic Plan – $450: This plan includes a listing term of 1 year with 20 photos. Listing gets syndicated to MLS and various other websites.
- Bestselling Plan – $650: With all the services offered by the Basic Plan, this plan includes a yard sign, 2 free open house announcements, a settlement sheet, and limited free agent support.
- Discounted Full-Service Plan – $999 + 1%: It includes the assistance of an agent to help you with listing prices, inspections, appraisals, negotiations, disclosures, and closing.
👉 Our Take: The packages are expensive for the services they offer. If you still want to list with them, we recommend their Bestselling Plan.
Mr. Lister is a good option for these points:
- Industry Veterans: It has over two decades of experience in Maryland real estate. They offer expert advice to new home sellers who do not understand the local market well.
- Long-Term Listing: The base package offers a 12-month listing, although at a higher cost. It also allows to upload up to 20 photos, a generous increase compared to other sites that typically limit it to 10 photos
- Assistance with Listing Price: Lower pricing boosts your chance to secure the best offers. Mr. Lister Realty offers agent assistance solely in the $999 package to help price your home accurately.
We came across some limitations of Mr. Lister Realty:
- Expensive Base Package: The base package is a whopping $450 and only gives you the bare minimum for a quick listing. Competitive platforms offer the basic package at much cheaper rates.
- No Seller Dashboard: Mr. Lister has no seller dashboard or mobile app for the easy management of your listing and selling process.
- Limited Coverage: Mr. Lister Realty is a local platform for Maryland sellers. They do not have nationwide coverage which can limit visibility and reduce the buyer pool.
Mr. Lister Realty has a 4.9 out of 5 stars rating from a total of only 62 reviews.
» Mr. Lister Realty Reviews: Read our in-depth review on Mr. Lister Realty.
Mr. Lister Realty has been in operation since 1996 in Maryland. It is a good choice for FSBO home sellers looking for local exposure.
However, as per industry standards, their basic package is significantly costly. You must also navigate an outdated website if you choose to work with Mr. Lister Realty.
3 Best Free For Sale By Owner Websites in Maryland
5. ForSaleByOwner.com
OPTIONAL FREE LISTING
Listing Fee: $0 - $4953.4/5
- ‘Do It Yourself’ FSBO Package – $0
- ‘Closing Assistance’ Package – $495
- Nationwide Coverage
- Control and Flexibility
- Direct Buyer Interaction
- No MLS Listing
- Lack of Technology
- Privacy Violation
- Lead for Rocket Homes
ForSaleByOwner.com has a rating of 3.4 out of 5 stars on BestCompany.com.
» ForSaleByOwner.com Reviews: Read this blog to learn more.
ForSaleByOwner.com has been operating since 1999. You can list your single-family home, condo, or townhouse at no cost. Moreover, they provide tools to help you calculate your home’s worth and access to legal forms.
Although ForSaleByOwner.com offers various paid services, their agent support package is similar to what you’d pay to a traditional Realtor. And none of the packages include a For Sale By Owner MLS listing in Maryland.
6. Facebook Marketplace
Social Media Behemoth
Listing Fee: $0Facebook Marketplace offers free FSBO real estate listing in its ‘Property for Sale’ section.
- FSBO Listing on Facebook – $0: You can list your property with some photos and basic details.
👉 Our Take: Facebook Marketplace is good for added exposure outside MLS or real estate websites. However, do not rely on it completely to get buyer leads. List on the MLS for credible buyer leads.
- Facebook has Millions of Users: Your property is advertised to millions of Facebook users. This certainly gives you exposure outside of MLS-syndicated websites.
- Facebook Marketplace is Not a Real Estate Website: Although it gives your listing some exposure, you don’t get assistance or FSBO tools. Its only purpose is marketing your property.
- Potential Privacy Attacks: Hackers can steal your personal data online. Make sure you have limited information open to the public while using Facebook Marketplace.
- No FSBO Support: Although Facebook Marketplace gives your listing some exposure, you don’t get assistance or FSBO tools. Its only purpose is marketing your property.
- You Can Get Scammed: Be vigilant of fraudulent offers. Scammers may attempt to make phony offers. If you get an offer that is too good to be true, high chances are it is a scam.
Facebook Marketplace has no customer reviews on popular review sites like Google or Trustpilot.
Facebook Marketplace is a popular classifieds site where you can list your property. It is not a For Sale By Owner website. We recommend Facebook Marketplace to maximize your exposure if you have already listed on the MLS.
Remember to protect your personal data and profile since Facebook Marketplace attracts unsolicited buyers.
7. Craigslist
BIGGEST CLASSIFIEDS
Listing Fee: $01.4/5
- FSBO Listing on Craigslist – $0
- User-Friendly Website
- Free FSBO Listing
- Good for Distressed Property
- Huge Traffic
- Lowball Offer
- Scammers and Pranksters
- Short Lifespan of Ads
Craigslist has a poor rating of 1.4 out of 5 stars from 300+ reviews on Trustpilot.
» How to Sell a House on Craigslist: Learn the step-by-step process of selling your home on Craigslist.
Craigslist is one of the biggest free For Sale By Owner sites in Maryland. The platform is free to use and can provide decent exposure to your FSBO listing.
But they lack security features and can also attract scammers and fraudulent cash home buyers in Maryland. So, you must be careful with sharing your property information and verify buyer identity.
How Much Can You Save With an FSBO Website in Maryland?
You can save a whopping 3% on Realtor commission to list your home on the MLS in Maryland. You just need to pay a flat fee which is fraction of the cost you would pay to the Realtor.
Imagine you own a $445,800 home in the Free State. If you choose a 3% Realtor, you pay $13,374 to get your house on the MLS. But, if you list with a flat fee service like Houzeo, you only pay $399 and save $12,625!
| Service Provider | Fee | Commission Due | Savings |
| Traditional Agent | 3% | $13,374 | $0 |
| Houzeo | $399 | $749* | $12,625 |
NAR Settlement Saves Sellers Thousands in Commission
The NAR Settlement went into effect on August 17, 2024. Buyer agent commissions can no longer be offered on the MLS. This means sellers will save thousands! But it also means there’s a lot more compliance and litigation risks.
Here’s what this means for you:
- Sellers Can Save Thousands in Commissions: You will likely be paying much less than the traditional 3% buyer agent commission. That’s because buyer agent commissions will be negotiated twice: Once when buyers engage Buyer Agents, and again when sellers review offer contracts.
- Seller Priority #1 will be Paperwork (to Mitigate Compliance & Litigation Risks): Buyer agents mitigate all types of risks. From seller disclosures, offer contracts, contingencies, inspections, repair requests, appraisal, and closing – Buyer agents keep the paperwork tight. Their state licensing authorities, Realtor associations, and MLS’ audit paperwork compliance. Without buyer agents, sellers will have to learn and adapt. Or risk expensive litigation.
- Negotiations Can Now Feel Like Haggling: Buyer agent commissions will now be part of offer contracts and buyer agency agreements. Buyers may ask sellers to include commissions in the form of seller concessions. That means home buyers and sellers alike will be negotiating commissions. Sellers will need expert licensed brokers to help them with these negotiations.
- Buyer Agent Commissions Can Be Offered Offline: Buyer agent commissions can still be offered outside of the MLS. They just cannot be advertised on the MLS.
How to List on MLS in Maryland: 5 Steps
Here’s how you can get your home in front of local buyers and agents:
- Find the Best Flat Fee MLS Listing Service: Choose a flat-rate listing service to list your FSBO home on Maryland MLS. Several Flat Fee MLS companies are notorious for high hidden fees. See our rankings of the best Flat Fee MLS Maryland listing services.
- Create Your Account: Almost all Flat Fee listing services will let you create an account. High-tech listing sites like Houzeo will allow you to manage your listing online!
- Choose a Listing Plan: Fixed fee listing services offer a DIY MLS listing by owner plan or a virtual full-service plan. Choose the plan that meets your home-selling needs.
- Enter Property Details & Add Photos: Provide property information like the number of beds, baths, etc. Professionally clicked high-quality photos can help you sell your home 50% faster. So, consider hiring an MD real estate photographer before you upload photos!
- Sign the Listing Agreement: Review and sign the listing agreement. Complete the seller disclosure forms. If everything is in order, the real estate broker will list your home within 24 to 48 hours.
5 Tips for Listing Your House as For Sale By Owner in Maryland
To sell your home easily with For Sale By Owner websites in Maryland, you must consider the following tips:
- Conduct Market Research: Evaluate the local MD real estate market. Learn about recent house sales prices, market trends, and the typical time it takes to sell a home.
- Prepare Your Home: Make necessary repairs and renovations. Clean, declutter, and opt for home staging. All this makes your house appealing to potential buyers.
- Price It Right: Set a competitive price for your house. To get a Fair Market Value, consider a professional appraisal or use online tools.
- Market Your Home: Create a detailed marketing plan. Use high-quality images and make a virtual tour or video walkthrough.
- Opt for Exposure: Choose an FSBO website that gets your home listed on the MLS. This will give maximum exposure to your property and attract potential buyers.
Alternatives to For Sale By Owner Sites in Maryland
If you think selling a house yourself in Maryland can be difficult, here are some other options you can consider:
- Choose a Low Commission Agent: A low-commission real estate agent offers you the same services as a traditional Realtor for a reduced commission rate.
- Opt for a Cash Home Buyer: Maryland cash home buyers make all-cash offers, usually within 24 to 48 hours. You can also sell your house as-is in Maryland with them.
- Sell With an iBuyer: Opendoor and Offerpad are iBuyers that use technology to extend cash offers on homes. They typically offer 70%-80% of a home’s Fair Market Value (FMV).
Frequently Asked Questions
How to list a house For Sale By Owner in Maryland?
To list your home as FSBO, you must choose the best Flat Fee MLS service in Maryland. Create your account and opt for a listing plan. Then enter property details and sign the listing agreement.
What is the best For Sale By Owner MLS listing service in Maryland?
Houzeo.com is the best FSBO MLS listing service in Maryland. It provides an unbeatable combination of max savings, 5-star customer support, and cutting-edge technology.
Where can I list my home For Sale By Owner for free in Maryland?
You can list your home for free on ForSaleByOwner.com, Zillow and classifieds websites like Craigslist.
What to look for in an FSBO website?
When opting for a FSBO website, look for user-friendly interfaces, online visibility, and features such as listing customization and marketing tools. Also, you should list your home on the MD MLS for maximum exposure.
